Never say die personified: Cone marvels at Thompson’s will to win for Ginebra

Scottie Thompson squeezed in between San Miguel Beer big men June Mar Fajardo and Renaldo Balkman and somehow, in some way, ended up with the rebound.

In the semifinals against Rain or Shine, Thompson went high up to outrebound Elasto Painters import Reggie Johnson from behind.

More often than not, Thompson would get one of those incredible rebounds that have drawn amazement from the crowd the way an emphatic dunk would.

READ: Scottie Thompson named PBA Finals MVP 

“Scottie came up big from day one he joined in practice,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone. “I’m running out of superlatives to describe him. His will to win is off the charts.”

Cone is used to seeing Thompson make one spectacular play after another but the crafty guard still never fails to marvel him.

Thompson’s dazzling ways were in full display in the grandest stage of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against the mighty San Miguel Beermen.

The 25-year-old Thompson shone in the bright lights and his finals performance didn’t go unnoticed as he was named Finals MVP, averaging 10.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in six games.

“Scottie brings us that intangible that never quits. He really exemplifies that never-say-die attitude,” Cone said.

“The stuff he does in games, he does in practice all the time. He’s a really special kid. He’s just scratching the surface. He might go down as one of the all-time greats.”